I had my first and only sonogram done at twenty-one weeks and everything looked fine. My family has been asking when I will have my next sonogram done, so today I asked my doctor. She said that if the first one comes back fine then they do not do any more. She explained that since excessive sonograms could be harmful the baby, they only do them when they are necessary. So, I only get one sonogram.
Now, if that’s what is best, then by all means I want what is best for the baby. I know my relatives are anxious and want to see more pictures, but their amusement can wait. We’ll have plenty of time to take pictures of the baby after it is born. I am a little surprised, though. I know other mothers that had a sonogram at twelve weeks, another at twenty weeks and then a third around thirty-six weeks. I am curious if anyone else only got or will get one sonogram. Is one really all you need?
My husband is in the Air Force, so my prenatal care all handled through a federal hospital. I am sure this has something to do with why I am only getting one sonogram. However, I have been using this hospital and seeing the same OB-GYN for years and have had nothing but a great experiences. I have never felt in the past like I have gotten inferior treatment to what I would get in private medicine. So, I am inclined to trust them that only one sonogram is really necessary and anything additional would only harm the baby.
I am interested in what other women have experienced, especially women that had their babies at federal or military hospitals.
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Comments: 26
I had a sonogram at my first appointment to see how far along I was (I'm very irregular and the due date they gave me just wasn't possible because it would have meant I conceived while I wasn't sexually active). I had another one at 21 weeks, but I guess now Tricare isn't even covering that one if there isn't a definitely need for it.
Donna, I guess that makes sense with what my doctor said. They only do more if there are complications.
Michelle, your experience sounds a lot like what I have heard from other women. Is your doctor private practice?
It sounds like it isn't as uncommon as I thought it was to just get one sonogram.
LOL
I feel for you ladies. That has to be difficult to hear that too many sonograms can be harmful. But, not having them done has drawbacks.
I hope all goes well with your delivery.
Happy holidays.
Help me get a publishing deal with a 10 rating and a comment. I comment back.
it should not make a difference, but as the son of a Col and a Dr. himself, I felt I was given not better care but certainly more attentive care...
just my thoughts...
Luckily we have never had any problem getting Tricare to cover anything, though.
Hey -- congrats!!!
God bless...
People have many ultrasounds and sonograms done all the time. In fact, if you want to self pay you can go to one of the places that does the 3D/4D ones and actually get to see your babys facial features and everything and they have packages where they'll capture the whole thing on DVD and also take pictures and stuff and it's really not all THAT expensive all things considered. I know this place isn't near you but just to get an idea of what I'm talking about check out this site...
http://www.tlcultrasound.com/pricing.html
Congratulations and good luck to you! Please send some baby dust my way, will ya?
My husband and I are doing both prenatal through on/gyn and midwives...Since i am over 35, I am supposed to have several ultrasounds but our midwife asked us to do more research before we agreed to that, as there have been some questions as to whether or not repeated ultrasounds show up later as ADD, dyslexia and autism in children. There simply haven't been enough studies done to rule it out so, unless we have to, for an emergency, we are opting out of any more. (which i am a little sad about bc i LOVED seeing the little one in there and now i won't get to find out the sex!)
Best luck!! and Congratulations, j